Gujarat State asked special package of Rs 31,190 crore from the 15th Finance Commission on top of statutory devolution of funds and performance-based grants.

Gujarat state has also asked for an additional Rs 9,654 crore to compensate the excise loss incurred due to liquor prohibition.

Officer of the state finance department said, “We have demanded a special package of Rs 31,190 crore to cater for state-specific grants. Gujarat is facing the highest, 52.3% land degradation and our own funds are not sufficient to tackle this issue. So we have demanded Rs 23,720 crore special grants for land degradation.”

Gujarat demands Rs 23,720 crore extra to control land degradation, the government has stated that 52.3% of the state faces severe land degradation and desertification — the worst in the country after Rajasthan.

Official added, “In total, we have demanded Rs 31,190 crore additional grants to meet special needs of the state. We have also demanded additional compensation against the loss of Rs 9,654 crore excise duty due to liquor prohibition.”